In Australia, Reuben Cotter to miss first week of NRL finals
In Australia, North Queensland Cowboys forward Reuben Cotter will miss the first week of the NRL finals after being charged with a careless high tackle in the match against the Canberra Raiders in Townsville.
Charge after Raiders match
As ABC News Australia reports, Cotter was charged with a grade-two careless high tackle for contact with Josh Papalii during the first tackle of the match.
Referee Nick Pelgrave described Cotter's actions as careless and involving forceful contact to the head. Papalii underwent a head injury assessment, returned to the field, and his team secured the win.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The minimum penalty for this charge is a one-week suspension. If Cotter challenges the decision and loses the hearing before the disciplinary body, the suspension will last two matches.
Cowboys' finals match
Next week, the North Queensland Cowboys will play away against Cronulla in an elimination match. On the final matchday of the regular season, the St George Illawarra Dragons will face the Parramatta Eels, while the Penrith Panthers can claim the regular-season winners' title if they beat the Wests Tigers by more than two points and finish ahead of the Warriors.
A new rule for taking the kick-off is also set to be trialled in the Dragons' match against the Eels.
